Umno ties, election plans to take centre stage at PH convention

 Pakatan Harapan's first convention in four years comes at a critical time amid pressure over reforms, internal divisions, DAP’s growing unease, and uncertainty over Umno.

Pakatan Harapan last held its convention in 2022, before the general election which led to the formation of the current unity government. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Pakatan Harapan’s convention this week will be held against the backdrop of growing doubts over its political direction and rumours of a snap general election, with tensions rising over its reform agenda, ties with Umno and discontent among component parties.

Political analysts Syaza Shukri of the International Islamic University Malaysia and Sivamurugan Pandian of Universiti Sains Malaysia said the convention on May 17 is expected to focus heavily on the future of the coalition and its strategies for the general election (GE16).

The biggest decision at the convention would be about PH’s relationship with Umno, Syaza said, and PH may take a pragmatic approach to allow Barisan Nasional to contest independently.

Syaza told FMT that the issue had become more pronounced following the Negeri Sembilan political crisis, which exposed the fragility of PH-Umno ties despite the parties being partners since late 2022.

Syaza Shukri.

She pointed out that the convention also comes ahead of DAP’s congress in July, with the party under pressure from supporters to push harder on reforms.

“PH chairman Anwar Ibrahim will do all he can to keep DAP in the coalition,” she said. “PH with just PKR and Amanah is really just PKR, and PKR is at a low point now,” she said.

DAP’s July 12 congress will decide whether leaders should resign from their government positions while continuing to support Anwar’s government in the Dewan Rakyat.

The PH convention, to be held in Johor Bahru will be the coalition’s first in four years; it was last held before the 2022 general election which led to the formation of the unity government.

PH needs everyone in ‘Team Anwar’

Sivamurugan expected the convention to assess PH’s preparations for GE16 and impending state elections in Melaka, Sarawak and Johor.

Sivamurugan Pandian.

He said it would particularly gauge the level of unity in PH especially after PKR’s contentious party elections in April last year, which created tensions and divisions in the party.

At the PKR polls, Anwar’s daughter Nurul Izzah wrested the party’s deputy presidency from Rafizi Ramli, who has since become a vocal critic of the government and party.

“The convention needs to look into the bickering within the coalition to ensure that when Parliament is dissolved and state elections are called, all of them remain under ‘Team Anwar’,” he said.

Rafizi and several others aligned with him have already dropped hints about contesting under another banner when GE16 is held.

If Umno goes solo

Separately, a PH source said coalition leaders are also expected to discuss possible electoral scenarios should Umno decide to go solo in GE16 or withdraw support for the unity government.

The source said leaders were also likely to address unhappiness within DAP and whether a snap GE16 would be suitable within the next few months.

“It is likely to be on Umno, the timing of state and general elections, and how to rebrand PH as a strong front,” the source said.

GE16 is due by February 2028, but speculation persists that Anwar would call an early election, possibly in the second half of 2026, to align it with the Melaka and Johor state polls.

Despite previously pushing for the unity alliance to continue in GE16, BN has changed its tune and has stated its intention to go solo in the next nationwide polls.

However, BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the coalition would possibly reach pacts with “other parties” to avoid some seat overlaps. - FMT